Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-10-29

Ruth was at his side directly, softly
caressing his heavy har, Don't
papa" she cried. Don't. It will all
be right. l don't understand it quite,
but you have some place in which | am
to help. Trust me, dear. and | will do
my best. We have each other, and if
the old place must go we can live for
each other somewhere else"
Ruth" said her father gently as he
placed his arm around her. wasn't
Mr.. Marsh in love with you at one
timer
"Why yes. and you used to tease me
about nv ancient admirer."
He is only forty" said Mr.. Rodney
shortly.
There was short pause.
I'D d he ever ask you to marry him
Ruth?'
Certainly, I told you of it at the
time. and how he said that possibly in
the future would change my mind"
Mr.. Rodney's eyes still rested on a
worn spot in the carpet.
Hes rich man, Ruth" he said
sheepshly.
The girls face famed. her eyes
grew dark. "You wouldn't sell me to
him father?" she asked in low voice.
The man was Immediately on the de-
fensive. "Why will you put things so
bluntly.H he said, fretfully. 'Of course
you will marry whom you choose, but
you are in love with no One-and that
scamp of Tom doesn't count, Gn an
swer to look from Ruth. land Marsh
"a bv far the best catch here. He
would make you a good husband. You
would have everything YOU could desire
and know that you were saving me
from much trouble and worry. have
| lived my life and am only telling the
truth when l say that marriage with
| the person one loves is not the height
of happiness. Your mother and l
adored each other. but our very love
made our married life wretched. She
was suspic Gus of me and was often
unjust to her. Had it been a matter-Of-
fact friendship which we had entertain
ed for each other we should have done
very well. This love is a delusion and
a snare.
The girl rose to her full height. 81
hate your cynical ideas. your cruel
| skeptcism; you are not yourself when
you sneer at the highest thing in our
natures. My mother loved you, but
she had no trust in YOU. That was the
bottom of it all. The man who wins
my love will as a natural consequence
have my utter confidence. II couldn't
be otherwise; you have lived your life,
and this is the result Let me live
mine. and l will ask for nothing
more"
Mr.. Rodney's lips curled. "You are
dramatic. Quite right; you will do for
a character in my next novel For the
villain we will have an unjust father,
who warns his daughters against all
which has made his own life un-
happy.
HIS whole manner changed sudden
| ly. Sarcasm never appeals to Ruth.
She was too much like himself.
Forgive me, dear; l am nervous
and sick and your words hurt me. Do
not think again of marrying Mr..
Marsh if it is so dstasteful to you,
and then perhaps by this time he has
changed his mind But we must get
through some way. for tomorrow the
money is due. This is the only plan;
could you go to him. forget your pr de,
and beg for a little more time He
would not oblige me.
The girls face became hard and set.
"You think if ask him his old love for
me would conquer his fondness for
money and he would yield ?'
Your conclusion is quite wha. it
should be. / really think Ruth, that a
six months trip abroad would make a
new man of me; and you see Marsh to-
morrow ?'
Il don't know" she said abruptly,
as she left the room.
Il can not do it." she cried as she
fastened toward the old tree. BEG
from the man whose love l have re-
fused, and yet it is for father, and am
all he has. My pride against his hap
piness! o Tom, dear, why did you
leave me 1t is more than l can BEAR"
She flung herself face downward at the
foot of the tree and sobbed
1t was dusk; the lamps had been
lighted and Ruth did not return.
Mr. Rodney smiled calmly as he
rolled his chair toward the CRATE.
Fighting it out with herself" he
said. las she always has from her child
! L
clusion. for nv words had more effect
upon her than she realized. And really
am not selfish. Tom will not amount
to anything for a number of years, and
l want to see her happy before | die.
This love is an Internal nuisance. And
vet as he thought he knew deep down
in his heart that had he his life to We
over, Ruth's mother would still have
been his first choice.
The door opened quietly and in a
moment two hands were placed ca
ressingly upon his shoulders and a
sweet voice said, Tea is ready father,
and have n surprise for you in the
shape of the most delicious waffles you
ever ate. After tea we will finish that
novel; there are only few more chap
ters."
MIR. Rodney glanced at his daughter
and knew the house was safe. He was
not sure in regard to her plan, whether
she would accept Mr.. Marsh or gain a
reprieve because of his love. 1t made
Little difference to him any way. Oh
course the marriage would be preferra-
Bile. as the latter course would only
ward off events for time; still he had
but put the case plainly before her and
would trust in her.
'She shall never be able to say thai
urged her into a marriage with a
man for whom she had no love-" he
thought II have merely hinted al
what imagined would be for her bes
interests